About Chor Amica
Chor Amica is one of the leading chamber choirs in London, Ontario, We nurture the art of choral music through presenting four varied concerts each season for London audiences and providing a collaborative rehearsal environment for experienced singers to grow their ensemble skills. We embrace both classical and contemporary choral repertoire in ways that encourage audience reflection, musical storytelling, and community connections. Showcasing London-based professional guest musicians and artists and programming Canadian and London composers is integral to our mission to promote excellence in choral performance to London listeners and singers alike.
A project-based choir, membership of Chor Amica is by audition, and new members are welcome to join on a per-concert schedule. If you would like to join, please email auditions@choramica.ca.
A project-based choir, membership of Chor Amica is by audition, and new members are welcome to join on a per-concert schedule. If you would like to join, please email auditions@choramica.ca.
Dr. Patrick Murray, Artistic Director
Canadian conductor and composer Patrick Murray is a multi-faceted choral artist whose musical work reveals an equal commitment to high-calibre performance, education, and community engagement.
Currently, as Director of Music at Church of St. John the Evangelist in Elora, ON, Murray directs one of Canada’s only fully-professional church choirs. Additionally, Murray serves as Artistic Director of Chor Amica (London, ON), Associate Conductor with the Bach Children’s Chorus (Toronto, ON), and as Director of the University of Toronto Scarborough Concert Choir. In these capacities, Murray works with singers of all ages and abilities to enliven and uplift communities through contemporary expression in the choral arts.
An experienced teacher and performer, Murray has previously served on choral faculty at Western University and Wilfrid Laurier University, and as a teaching artist with the Oakville Choir for Children and Youth, Canadian Renaissance Music Summer School, and Illinois Summer Youth Music. A passionate advocate for new music, Murray has premiered over thirty new works from the podium in collaboration with ensembles and festivals including the Ad Astra Music Festival (Russell, KS), Guelph Chamber Choir, Illinois Modern Ensemble, New Music New Haven, and FAWN Chamber Creative. Choirs under his direction have been recognized in the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs and been invited to perform at PODIUM, Canada’s national choral conference.
Murray’s compositions have been commissioned and premiered by numerous ensembles in Canada and the United States including New York Polyphony, Carmel Bach Festival, College of the Holy Cross, Metropolitan United Church Choir (Toronto), Summer Institute of Church Music, and others. His works have been recognized by the SOCAN Young Composers Award, recorded by the DaCapo Chamber Choir, and are published by Cypress Choral Music and Renforth Music.
Murray is a graduate of University of Illinois, Yale School of Music, and University of Toronto Faculty of Music, studying under noted conductors including Andrew Megill, David Hill, Jeffrey Douma, Marguerite Brooks, Ivars Taurins, and Hilary Apfelstadt. www.patrickmurraymusic.net
Currently, as Director of Music at Church of St. John the Evangelist in Elora, ON, Murray directs one of Canada’s only fully-professional church choirs. Additionally, Murray serves as Artistic Director of Chor Amica (London, ON), Associate Conductor with the Bach Children’s Chorus (Toronto, ON), and as Director of the University of Toronto Scarborough Concert Choir. In these capacities, Murray works with singers of all ages and abilities to enliven and uplift communities through contemporary expression in the choral arts.
An experienced teacher and performer, Murray has previously served on choral faculty at Western University and Wilfrid Laurier University, and as a teaching artist with the Oakville Choir for Children and Youth, Canadian Renaissance Music Summer School, and Illinois Summer Youth Music. A passionate advocate for new music, Murray has premiered over thirty new works from the podium in collaboration with ensembles and festivals including the Ad Astra Music Festival (Russell, KS), Guelph Chamber Choir, Illinois Modern Ensemble, New Music New Haven, and FAWN Chamber Creative. Choirs under his direction have been recognized in the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs and been invited to perform at PODIUM, Canada’s national choral conference.
Murray’s compositions have been commissioned and premiered by numerous ensembles in Canada and the United States including New York Polyphony, Carmel Bach Festival, College of the Holy Cross, Metropolitan United Church Choir (Toronto), Summer Institute of Church Music, and others. His works have been recognized by the SOCAN Young Composers Award, recorded by the DaCapo Chamber Choir, and are published by Cypress Choral Music and Renforth Music.
Murray is a graduate of University of Illinois, Yale School of Music, and University of Toronto Faculty of Music, studying under noted conductors including Andrew Megill, David Hill, Jeffrey Douma, Marguerite Brooks, Ivars Taurins, and Hilary Apfelstadt. www.patrickmurraymusic.net
Emer Montaño, assistant conductor
Emer Montaño is Chor Amica’s inaugural Assistant Conductor for 2022-2023. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Emer is currently pursuing a MMus in Choir Conducting at Western University. He holds a Bachelor degree in Piano Performance from the National University of Colombia, and holds a Service Playing Certificate in organ from the RCCO. Emer has actively performed as accompanist for both soloists and choirs in Colombia and Canada. He also has a vast experience as a chorister for different organizations. His growing interest in liturgical music led him to pursue organ studies under the guidance of Dr. Ronald Fox. Emer is currently the organist and director of the Traditional Choir at Holy Family Parish in London, Ontario. He has a private piano studio in the city.
Chris Ryan, collaborative pianist
Chris Ryan, a native of St. John’s, Newfoundland, has been singing in choirs for many years. He has performed with Shallaway, Cantus Vocum, and the Quintessential Vocal Ensemble, and was a member of the National Youth Choir in 2002. Chris also has experience as an accompanist, violinist, and church organist. He holds degrees in music (piano performance) and medicine from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
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